Shloka 73
Dasyu-maryādā and Buddhi-guided Rāja-nīti (दस्युमर्यादा तथा बुद्धिप्रधान-राजनीति)
उपगृहा तु वैराणि सान्त्वयन्ति नराधिप । अथीनं प्रतिपिंषन्ति पूर्ण घटमिवाश्मनि,नरेश्वर! दुष्ट प्रकृतिके लोग मनमें वैर रखकर ऊपरसे शत्रुको मधुर वचनोंद्वारा सान्त्वना देते रहते हैं। तदनन्तर अवसर पाकर उसे उसी प्रकार पीस डालते हैं, जैसे कोई पानीसे भरे हुए घड़ेको पत्थरपर पटककर चूर-चूर कर दे
brahmadatta uvāca | upagṛhā tu vairāṇi sāntvayanti narādhipa | athīnaṃ pratipiṃṣanti pūrṇa-ghaṭam ivāśmani, nareśvara ||
Brahmadatta said: O king, those of wicked disposition conceal their enmities and keep soothing an unsuspecting man with sweet, conciliatory words. Then, when they find the right opportunity, they crush him utterly—just as one shatters a water-filled pot by dashing it upon a stone.
ब्रह्मदत्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not judge intentions solely by pleasant speech: people of corrupt nature may hide enmity behind conciliatory words and strike when you are unguarded. A ruler should combine compassion with vigilance and discernment.
Brahmadatta is instructing a king about the danger of hypocritical enemies: they first pacify their target with sweet talk, then seize an opportunity to destroy him completely, illustrated by the image of a full pot smashed on a stone.